Nigel Sinclair

Film Producer and Director


Nigel Sinclair started his journey in England, where the historic halls of Monkton Combe encouraged his interest in history and the arts under the guidance of teachers like Richard Blake. After completing studies in law and economics at Cambridge, he graduated in 1969. He then studied at the Institute of Criminology before joining Denton, Hall & Burgin.


In 1979, during a rise in oil prices, he opened Denton, Hall & Burgin offices in Dubai and Sharjah. This experience developed his persistence and creative problem-solving skills, which later shaped his work in the film industry.


Nigel went on to earn an LLM at Columbia University in New York. He later moved to Los Angeles to pass the California Bar exam, again opening a Denton, Hall & Burgin office. Los Angeles became both his professional base and his personal home for many years.


Transition to Entertainment Law


By the early 1980s, he was building a reputation in Los Angeles. At first, many were unsure about an English solicitor in Hollywood, but his reputation grew steadily through word of mouth.


He gradually moved into entertainment law, representing actors such as one known for Lethal Weapon, another known for The Silence of the Lambs, and another known for intense roles, as well as directors, including one behind Dead Poets Society and two brothers known for their distinctive visual styles.


In 1989, he co-founded Sinclair Tenenbaum & Co., a firm that structured independent films for international financing and distribution. Projects like Hamlet, Braveheart, 1492, and Green Card showed that large-scale cinema could be created outside traditional studios.


Building Intermedia and Spitfire Pictures


In 1996, he shifted from law to producing by co-founding Intermedia Films with a partner. The company financed and produced titles such as Sliding Doors, Hilary and Jackie, The Wedding Planner, The Quiet American, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and Iris.


In 2000, Intermedia went public on Frankfurt’s Neuer Markt, marking its rise as a major independent production company.


In 2003, he and his partner founded Spitfire Pictures, focusing on music documentaries and feature films. Early works included Masked and Anonymous, Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who, and No Direction Home: Bob Dylan. These projects marked the start of his work in music and cultural documentaries.


Exclusive Media & White Horse Pictures


Nigel later founded Exclusive Media, where he served as CEO and Co-Chairman. The company produced and distributed films, including Rush, End of Watch, Snitch, and Parkland.


In 2014, he co-founded White Horse Pictures with three partners, concentrating on documentary storytelling. Early successes included The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years, Pavarotti, The Apollo, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, and Lucy and Desi.


More recently, he produced Beach Boys, Billy Preston: That is the Way God Planned It, and Stax: Soulsville U.S.A., which earned his third Peabody nomination and second Peabody Award. Under his leadership, White Horse Pictures has become known for creating documentaries that remain influential beyond their premieres.


Awards and Recognition


His work has earned Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Emmys, and Grammys. Highlights include:



In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II named him Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to the British film industry. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and BAFTA.


Philanthropy and Community Engagement


Alongside his film career, Nigel has shown a strong commitment to social causes. In Los Angeles, he has supported The People Concern’s Access Center, raising funds and volunteering at SHWASHLOCK, which provides laundry and shower services to unhoused individuals.


With his wife, he co-founded K-9 Connection, a program that pairs disadvantaged teens with rescue dogs to support youth development and animal adoption. In the 1990s, he co-chaired a campaign that raised over $20 million to establish the Cloverfield Women’s Health Center in Los Angeles, which serves primarily unhoused women facing mental health challenges.


Nigel also worked with two members of a well-known rock band to bring Teen Cancer America to the United States.


Personal Life and Interests


Music has always been a central part of his life. As a guitarist and student of music history, he often combines personal interests with filmmaking, creating works that celebrate cultural icons and the power of music.


Originally from Scotland and now based in Los Angeles, he has connected the fields of law, commerce, and film. He lives in Pacific Palisades with his wife, Pat, and has a son, Alex, and a grandson. He also has two stepdaughters, Andrea and Rebecca, and two step-grandchildren.


Legacy


Nigel Sinclair’s career shows how curiosity and adaptability can open new paths. From studying law at Cambridge to producing acclaimed documentaries, he has remained committed to telling stories rooted in culture and history.